Adjust Text Size

April 28, 2008

Pennsylvania taxpayers ultimately pay the Commonwealth's bills; therefore, they should have a basic right to easily monitor how state government spends its money, according to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh).

Senator Browne introduced the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Transparency Act (Senate Bill 1350) on April 7. The bill received bipartisan support and was introduced with 22 co-sponsors. 

Senator Browne said: "The Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act enacted in 2006 created a searchable website to increase transparency and accountability in federal government spending. Since then, five states have enacted similar legislation creating a similar website at the state level.  Four states have issued executive orders opening the records and 12 other states have legislation pending to open their spending records. It is time that Pennsylvania takes action as well."

For details on the Pennsylvania Taxpayer Transparency Act, please see Fast Facts, below. 

In an effort to strengthen citizens' trust in Pennsylvania state government and prevent the appearance of impropriety, Sen. Jeffrey Piccola (R-Dauphin) is unveiling legislation that bans gifts, hospitality, travel, and lodging from registered lobbyists to members of the General Assembly, their staff, the governor, and the executive branch.

Following the lead of many other states around the country and the Congress' recent efforts towards changing the rules for lobbying, Sen. Piccola's legislation would amend Pennsylvania's 2006 lobbying law by banning free meals and other forms of gifts. While Pennsylvania law currently requires lobbyists to disclose how much they spend, the statute does not require, in most cases, that public officials who are the beneficiaries of such largess be named.

 Senator Piccola said: “With my lobbying reform, we are moving to make state government more transparent and accessible and sending a clear message to all Pennsylvanians that we put people ahead of special interests.” 

As part of his efforts to make government more open and accountable, Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) has introduced legislation to reform the process for nominating individuals to various state boards and commissions.

The first bill would prohibit an individual who has an ownership interest in a casino or who is applying for a casino license from being nominated to a board or commission.

The second bill would prohibit an individual from being nominated to or serving on a board or commission if he or she already serves on another board or commission.  The prohibition would also apply to individuals who have a pecuniary interest in a contract granted or approved by another board or commission.

Senator Rafferty said: "Our boards and commissions oversea a wide range of areas and activities, and we need to ensure that they operate with impartiality and with the highest ethical conduct. This legislation will go a long way toward preventing conflicts and ensuring that these boards and commissions operate openly and efficiently."
 

Illegal aliens who live in Pennsylvania will no longer be eligible for public benefits, including Medicaid, welfare and in-state college tuition, under legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) that was approved by the Senate.

Senate Bill 9 would also ensure that the Commonwealth’s more than 100,000 illegal aliens face tighter scrutiny when applying for services. It passed the Senate with a bipartisan vote of 39 to 10 and was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senator Scarnati said: "This legislation was made necessary due to Congress unwillingness to deal with the national crisis of illegal immigration. Once again, states across the country are finding themselves dealing with federal issues that are hurting the taxpayers of their respective areas. Senate Bill 9 is a matter of protecting citizens who are in Pennsylvania legally and encouraging illegal aliens to locate elsewhere." 

For more on Senate Bill 9, please see In the Spotlight, below.
 

The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), on April 9 approved legislation sponsored by Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee Chair Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne) and Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) to provide tax credits to Pennsylvania’s emergency first responders and their employers as a way to help fire companies and emergency medical service companies recruit and retain volunteers.

Senate Bill 1314 would provide a $500 tax credit for active members of volunteer firefighting and emergency medical services organizations that are certified by the State Fire Commissioner or the Director of the Emergency Medical Services Office in the Department of Health.

Senate Bill 1316 would provide a $1,000 tax credit against an employer's personal income tax for each volunteer fire and emergency services member employed, up to $5,000 during a specific tax year.

Senator Browne said: "We know Pennsylvania’s fire departments and emergency medical services are having a difficult time finding and retaining volunteers. Through Senate Bills 1314 and 1316 we have the ability through our tax code to provide important financial incentives to volunteers and their employers as well."
- Sen. Browne
- Sen. Baker
- Sen. Jane Orie 

The Senate passed legislation written by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre) that would amend the state constitution to change the Lieutenant Governor succession rule.

Senate Bill 822, would allow a lieutenant governor who assumes the governorship to name a new Lieutenant Governor. That nominee would have to be confirmed by the Senate.

Senator Corman said the change became a necessity after former Gov. Tom Ridge resigned to become director of the United States Homeland Security Department in 2001. Then-Lt. Gov. Mark Schweiker became governor and then-Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer became the lieutenant governor.  Lt. Governor Jubelirer continued to serve as a state Senator during the term.

Senator Corman's legislation, a proposed constitutional amendment, would have Pennsylvania's process mirror that of the federal government in cases when there is a vacancy in the office of Vice President.

The Senate Local Government Committee, chaired by Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland), and the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, chaired by Sen. John Pippy (R-Allegheny), held a joint public hearing April 10 to hear testimony on multi-municipal planning and shared services.

The hearing focused on best practices at the local level, current state efforts to promote intergovernmental cooperation, and recommendations on how the state can further encourage multi-municipal planning and shared services.

Senator Regola said: "While we all know that forced consolidation is a non-starter, we can and should be talking about ways to save taxpayer dollars through working together and sharing services where possible."

Senator Pippy said: "We have seen a number of studies that have considered ways to make government more efficient. Now, we need to move beyond the reports and look at identifying the critical pathways to move forward."
 - (1 hour, 6 min)
 - (1 hour)
 - (34 min)

In the Spotlight

Sen. Scarnati’s bill would require anyone requesting public benefits in the Commonwealth to provide identification proving they are legal residents. Additionally, they would be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a U.S. citizen or an alien lawfully present in the United States.

Any applicant signing the affidavit stating they are a legal alien would have their status verified through the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement Program (SAVE), operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Any illegal alien who falsely claims they are residing in the country legally in order to obtain public benefits will have committed a second degree misdemeanor and be subject to arrest.

Under current federal law, illegal aliens are prohibited from receiving federal, state or local public benefits with the exception of emergency medical care, necessary immunizations and disaster relief. However, Scarnati said Pennsylvania law is simply too lenient in enforcing those provisions.

The Federation for Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates the current local annual costs of illegal immigration from just three program areas amount to about $36 billion nationwide. In Pennsylvania, the current estimated cost is $285 million. That cost is expected to grow to $812 million by the year 2020.

Fast Facts

Questions or Comments?

Contact the Senate Republican Communications Office or call 717-787-6725.